Friday, October 28, 2011

Dell Introduces Latitude ST Business Tablet



Dell today announced its Latitude ST, a 10.1" 1.8 pound Windows 7 tablet aimed directly at Windows-centric IT shops.
There's nothing particularly inspiring about the Latitude ST's hardware: a 1.5 GHz single-core Atom Z670 and an Intel GMA 600 integrated graphics chip (which, like the GMA 500, is actually a licensed PowerVR SGX core) drive its 1280x800 screen, which is made of Gorilla Glass and accepts both stylus and multitouch input. 2GB of RAM comes standard, and storage (presumably in the form of an SSD) of up to 128GB will be available.
Wireless n (1x1 only, unfortunately) and Bluetooth 4.0 are standard, and an optional Dell Wireless 5550 HSPA+ card can provide cellular data and GPS functionality. Integrated rear (5 megapixel) and front ("720p HD") cameras, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port round out its multimedia capabilities.
Despite these rather weak specs, there are a few bullet points which might sway Windows-centric IT managers, including its wired gigabit LAN port, three USB 2.0 ports, and TPM chip (used primarily with disk encryption software like Bitlocker). An optional docking station can add a physical keyboard to the device. However, pricing information, one factor to which businesses are always sensitive, has not been revealed.
With these business-centric features, Windows compatibility, and the Latitude name, the ST may find a small niche in some IT shops, but with Windows 8 buzz building and increasing support for iOS and Android devices in the enterprise, it seems like a bit of a long shot.

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